Looking to buy some dried mangoes and other mango products as pasalubong (gift) when you get home? Look no further and go to R&M Preserves. Just tell the driver you want to buy some dried mangoes and you’d probably be sent here. It’s located in Guadalupe in Cebu City.
They offer a wide array of mango products:
Mango tarts I like:
Mangoes not enoug
h? Up next is another popular pasalubong.
The objective is not to eat at restaurants which are already available in Manila. This time, we eat at a restaurant Chika-An Sa Cebu in SM Cebu.
The place is very Filipino:
What we ordered:
1.) Mangga At Bagoong for 50 pesos ($1.10):
A big bowl of Pork Sinigang for 95 pesos ($2.10) only! Shown below is a cup full of it.
2.) Bistek Cebuano for 190 pesos ($4.30)
3.) Bicol Express for 68 pesos ($1.50):
4.) Pinakbet for 75 pesos ($1.80):
Overall, the food was good and very affordable. The Bistek Cebuano was a bit overpriced compared to the others and the serving was quite small. It tastes good though. Oh yeah you can order unlimited rice for only around 26 pesos ($0.60) per person. Rice lovers like me are happy. Would I recommend this restaurant? Sure. I don’t see any reason not to.
By the way, here’s a few shots of SM Cebu (it looks like a new wing):
The new wing looks nice.
All of us agree that the mall does not look like SM at all. It looks new and more modern compared to most of the ones found in Manila. Good job SM!
Philip’s Kitchen? Where’s that restaurant located you ask? Well right here at our home of course! As it is (or was) Father’s Day, we name it as such. 
What better way to spend Father’s Day but be at home eating home cooked gourmet meals right? It’s cheaper too! What exactly did we eat? Let’s find out!!!
For the appetizer… bread and our very own special dip!
The dip’s made up of cheese, sour cream, spinach and artichokes.
We also have a platter full of New Zealand Baked Mussels.
Yummy I say.
My personal favorite. Oh so creamy and buttery.
For the main course (as if the appetizers were not enough already), we have lamb chops with ham & mushroom fettucini in cream sauce (topped of with brussels sprout).
And that’s not all… we still have Molten Hot Volcano Chocolate Cake for dessert!
With the crust opened (see the hole):
Sweet!
I want to greet all the fathers (including my father of course) and the fathers-to-be out there a HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!
Just outside the Basilica del Santo Niño is where we can see the kiosk that houses the Magellan’s Cross.
The cross inside this kiosk is believed to be the one that Magellan planted (on this very spot) when he arrived in the Philippines.
The original cross is currently enclosed by tindalo wood to stop people from chipping at the wood of the original cross. There are doubts as to if the cross is authentic and is originally the one planted by Magellan. I guess we’ll never really know the truth if it is indeed the original one or just a replica.
You know, for such a small place there’s a lot of history inside it. Check out the wonderfully painted ceiling of this place. Just beautiful. One of my favorite pictures for the whole trip.
Priceless!!!
Just a short distance from the Heritage of Cebu Monument is the Basilica del Santo Niño (formerly known as the San Agustin Church.
What makes this church special you ask? First a short history:
The church houses the image of Santo Niño. It’s currently considered to be the oldest religious relic that can be found in the Philippines. It was supposedly found in the exact same spot where the church was built. On the 14th of April of the year 1521, the Sto. Niño image was given to Queen Juana by Magellan as a gift during the baptism of King Humabon and Queen Juana.
Entering, you can’t help but be amazed by the beauty of this church. Looking up, you would see the beautifully painted ceilings.
Stepping to the sides of the church, you get to see different images and statues:
As the Basilica can be easily filled to capacity by devotess, the Pilgrim Center was created outside the Basilica to accomodate more devotees and visitors during the Friday Novena mass and other festivities.
When we arrived to the Basilica, the place was packed and you could easily get lost in the crowd. When the mass was finished, you will see most people wave their hands as if to say goodbye to the Santo Niño image and the place. What an awesome sight that was. You couldn’t help but wave your own hand as well.
There’s also a place where you can light candles. I lighted a few myself as well and offered a prayer. You would see people light the candle and put their palm near the candle as if you are feeling the heat of the candle.
What can I say? It was a very spiritual experience visiting the Basilica. You can’t help but be in awe of the place especially if this is your first time going here.
Surely I will visit the Basilica everytime I go to Cebu.
Located at the Parian district of Cebu City you will see the Heritage of Cebu Monument:
It was created by national artist Edgardo Castrillo. The monument depicts important and significant events of Cebu’s history.
It’s a nice place to take pictures. It would have been nicer if they put up some sort of written guide on what the certain scene depictions were all about though.
You’d probably need a local tourist guide to explain the scenes.
Up next… Basilica del Santo Nino!!!
After checking in at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel, we went straight to Ayala Center Cebu to grab some lunch. Upon seeing Bigby’s Cafe & Restaurant, we decided to go in and check it out.
Very nice unique lighting / ceiling:
What about the food you ask? I would compare the menu to be similar to restaurants in Manila like Chili’s or Burgoo but way cheaper.
I ordered the Rack-a-bye baby for 299 pesos ($6.50). The serving is big enough that it can be shared.
The ribs are succulent and juicy. I liked it a lot. If it’s your first time to eat at Bigby’s, then this is definitely the one that you should try.
Another excellent choice would be the Grilled Rodeo Chops for 199 pesos ($4.25). If you love pork chops, then you should try this.
Not everything we ordered were hits. The Tsunami Chops at 185 pesos ($4.00) were a bit of a let down. The taste was just like plain breaded pork chops. The curry taste of the rice was a bit too strong,
Is this a must eat restaurant when visiting Cebu? I say yes. My advice is that you stick to ordering those recommended by the restaurant. We enjoyed eating here that we ate again but at another Bigby’s branch in SM Cebu. This time I ordered the chicken barbeque. Loved it as well. No pics though. Too hungry.
We were booked to stay at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino located in Lahug, Cebu City for this trip. Riding a taxi from the airport, you should arrive at the hotel around 30 minutes. Note that there are 2 Waterfront Hotels in Cebu. One is just beside the airport (called Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan). When riding the taxi from the airport to the hotel, the drivers usually do not use a meter and ask for a fixed fee. DO NOT agree at their price right away. They are overcharging. Ideal price would be 150-200 pesos ($4-$5) from the airport to Cebu City.
It’s a very nice hotel and is probably one of the best hotels in Cebu City.
The main lobby:
The reception area:
Just beside it is the Cebu International Convention Center:
It’s very accessible as well. The IT Park is just walking distance while it takes a 5 minute taxi ride going to Ayala Center Cebu Mall. There’s also a casino inside the hotel so you can gamble the night away if you’re too tired to go out. Just remember, play only what you are willing to lose. Nobody wins at the casino. Play for fun!
The regular rooms are okay.
We were able to fit 5 people in it. Nothing fantastic. Just basic but very clean (which is the most important in my book). My only gripe is that we were booked at a smoking floor. In the hall, you could smell that hint of cigarette smoke lingering in the air. If you don’t smoke or you are with kids, ensure that you request for a non-smoking floor.
Within the hotel, there’s quite a few restaurants to choose from. We were able to eat at two of the restaurants namely: UWO and The Port Seafood Restaurant (not pictured). More on those two restaurants later.
Overall, it was an enjoyable stay at this hotel. Recommended.
I’m back! Had a great Cebu trip and I hope to post my experience and the places I went to as soon as I can.
For the meantime, here’s a shot of the Cebu skyline taken at Tops.
It will be my first time there. Check back next week for the pictures and my personal experience.
Should be fun.
